Cornelius 'Cornbread' German, a 15-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on April 22, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. Cornelius was found dead just four blocks from President Barack Obama's home in the Kenwood neighborhood. On the evening of his death, Cornelius was in the backyard of a home in the 5000 block of South Evans Avenue, talking to friends and participating in a dice game. Around 9:30 p.m., gunfire erupted, and Cornelius was struck in the back.
Earlier that day, he had expressed concerns to his mother, Timika Rutledge, about waiting at the bus stop due to recent violence and shootings in the area. He had planned to have his mother pick him up from a friend's house, but instead, she witnessed police carrying her son's body wrapped in a burgundy blanket.
Cornelius had a troubled past, having been affiliated with a gang and previously arrested. Despite his parents' efforts to steer him in a positive direction, he continued to associate with a rough crowd. He had recently started attending Kenwood Academy High School, which his parents hoped would be a turning point for him. Unfortunately, his life was cut short before he could make that change. His death came just three months after the fatal shooting of another 15-year-old, Hadiya Pendleton, in a park about a mile from the Obama home.
As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made in connection with Cornelius's murder. The investigation into his death remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to seek information and leads. The lack of suspects and arrests has left his family and community in a state of grief and frustration, as they seek justice for the young life that was senselessly taken. Cornelius's death highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in Chicago and the devastating impact it has on families and communities.
